Domain names can be very valuable to the right buyer, so it’s in your best interest to sell them as quickly and easily as possible. The more you know about the process, the better your chance of getting the highest offer and holding on to your domain name for as long as possible. Read on to learn how to sell a domain name with this step-by-step guide.
Research before you sell
Before you sell your domain name, it’s a good idea to do some research. Look at recently sold domain names in your category and determine what they are selling for. By researching past sales, you can see if there is any sort of pattern, which will help you when pricing your domain name.
You should also look at past projects that have used similar domain names like yours and determine how their brand images align with yours. If they are significantly different than yours, it might not be worth pursuing that sale just yet. Research before you sell!
Preparing your domain name for sale
If you’re planning on selling your domain name, you’ll want to do all you can to make it as attractive as possible. This means making sure your WHOIS information is set up correctly and that it’s accurate, rather than hiding it or obscuring who owns your domain name in any way.
You should also make sure that your website is running smoothly and looks professional. However, if you’re not planning on selling right away, there’s no need to panic; simply prepare yourself for when (or if) the time comes!
Listing your domain name on marketplaces
Selling your domain name is pretty easy. The first step is listing it on marketplaces (like Sedo or Afternic), which you can do for free. From there, sales will depend on how good of a domain name it is, how valuable, and how many people are vying for it.
The more common and popular your TLD the easier and quicker your sale will be! If you have any questions about how to sell a domain name, feel free to reach out in the comments below!
Getting in touch with buyers directly
As you start reaching out, it’s important to note that not every domain name owner will respond. Do your best not to take it personally—many folks have their brokers for these kinds of sales—and try not to bug them with follow-up messages. If you still can’t get in touch with an interested party after 3 weeks or so, don’t be afraid to drop them from your list; they probably aren’t interested anyway. As soon as someone has put in an offer, however, it is good form to provide more details and accept their terms if possible.
Choosing the right buyer and making an offer
Before you make an offer on a domain name, you’ll want to have multiple potential buyers in mind. Before making an offer, make sure you know exactly what you’re selling and what it’s worth. Research average sales prices of similar domains and consider your buyer pool carefully.
The last thing you want is to sell your domain name at a price lower than it’s worth because there are no interested buyers out there willing to pay that much for it. Remember: You don’t have to accept any offers right away if they’re below your asking price or if you just can’t get excited about them—just say thanks and move on.
Manage communications with your buyer
In addition to negotiating and closing your sale, you’ll need to manage communications with your buyer. Communicating with customers is critical in any business, but it’s vital when selling digital goods because you don’t have much of an opportunity for face-to-face interaction.
Make sure you clearly outline all of your domain sales policies in advance so that buyers know what they can expect from you. If a buyer has questions about their purchase, be sure to promptly reply and work toward resolving any issues.
One way sellers can maintain good communication is by sending emails to follow-ups after transactions are completed; some registrars also offer tools for automating these types of campaigns as well.
Keeping track of all your sales channels
It can be hard to keep track of all your domain name sales channels. Our favorite way is by using Google Sheets, where you can set up different tabs for different sales channels—the same way you have separate bank accounts. You’ll want one tab for each of your sales platforms.
Another common way is through a CRM like Salesforce. You can even use something simple like Trello or Basecamp, though they aren’t meant specifically for tracking leads and follow-ups.